Recent headlines have focused on Mohammed Shami, the veteran fast bowler, and whether he will be included in the remaining two Test matches of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 in Melbourne and Sydney. Since playing the ODI World Cup with India back in 2023, Shami has been out of international cricket. However, after reviving from injuries, he recently made his domestic comeback in the Ranji Trophy and the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy for Bengal.
Fans were speculating and calling for the need for the experienced pacer to be included in the Indian squad for the remaining Test matches in the ongoing BGT. However, amidst all these speculations, the pacer will be part of the Bengal squad for the Vijay-Hazare Trophy. CAB announced that he and Mukesh Kumar will be part of the Bengal team, which Sudip Kumar Gharami will lead.
“India star pacers Mohammed Shami and Mukesh Kumar will form a strong Bengal bowling attack while the young Sudip Kumar Gharami will lead the team in the forthcoming Vijay Hazare Trophy,” a Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) release said on Saturday.
Mohammed Shami is unlikely to be part of the ongoing BGT
Although fans have been wanting for the pacer to be included in the squad for the BGT, it is unlikely that he will be part of the Indian squad for the remaining two Test matches. Shami was out of cricket for close to a year. He has now played a Ranji Trophy game and also featured in the SMAT. Under the supervision of national selectors and BCCI sports science experts, he has featured in nine consecutive T20 matches and has also scalped 11 wickets.
However, the selectors and the team management feel that playing T20 matches is not the true litmus test for enduring the rigours of Test match cricket in Australia and bowling 20 overs in a day. The management does not want one of their bowlers to break down in the middle of the Test match due to inadequate match fitness.
